Smiler33 Posted February 4, 2012 Share Posted February 4, 2012 Sadly we lost our lovely little Betsy last night; she had been off colour for a couple of days and I had this feeling when I put her to bed last night it would be the last time I saw her . She was my son's chicken (he's 5) and he's obviously missing her but we have said we will get him another Betsy. What is the best way to introduce a new chicken to an established flock of 3? I have a Light Sussex, Amber Star and Bovans Nera (who ranks very lowly in the group). We only have the Cube and don't have anything to keep a chook seperate. I'm a bit nervous about putting a young POL straight in with 3 older girls. I made the mistake of telling Sam you can get hens who lay blue eggs and isn't that cool - now he'd like one! Do you know what breed do this and are they hardy? Sorry for all the questions. RIP Sweet Betsy x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BizzyMomma Posted February 4, 2012 Share Posted February 4, 2012 So sorry to hear this {{{HUGS}}} Cotswold Legbars lay blue eggs, you can find out more about them here http://www.legbarsofbroadway.co.uk/the%20cotswold%20legbar/ am sure other more knowledgable folks will be along to give you advice regards other breeds and intro's... Good Luck!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted February 4, 2012 Share Posted February 4, 2012 Sorry to hear about Betsy . You'd find it much easier to introduce 2 new girls. It's not generally recommended to just get a single hen and you may find suppliers reluctant to sell you just one. I've had green egg layers - a Columbine and now an Auracana hybrid. The Columbine was a lovely hen and a great character. I think it's Legbars and hybrids thereof that lay blue or green (but I don't know much about breeds!) You'll find info on introducing new hens here. I know some farmers just chuck new hens in but it's generally a good idea to rig up some separate accommodation or you could end up with some nasty injuries. I'm currently using a pet carrier as a temporary henhouse! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wendy-Jane Posted February 4, 2012 Share Posted February 4, 2012 Oh no! That's really sad! RIP Betsy! I think it's Legbars that lay blue eggs - they are very pretty! Not sure of their character though as im new at this! X Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mum Posted February 4, 2012 Share Posted February 4, 2012 So sorry to hear your news I have a cream legbar who lays olive green eggs. I have an Araucana who should lay blue eggs (still waiting for her to come into lay though). Do you have a pet carrier? Introductions would be easier if you could put your new chooks in the run in a pet carrier so the other girls could see/smell/talk to them (although it really isn't ideal and not much of a step up from battery hens - at least it would only be for a very short while) for a couple of days before they mingle. An alternative might be to divide your run area into two using bamboo canes to create a "fence" between the two halves (either pushed into the ground vertically, or, slotted through the run bars horizontally); then, at night time, put them all in your cube when they are all dozy and sleepy and not thinking about pecking order (just perch order ) I have to say, that is not my preferred option though. What works for me is a) an initial quarantine period - protects new hens from anything mine my have and vice versa; b) let them free range together for a week or so c) let full integration take place. For me, this can take up to a month to complete, but, it reduces the potential for passing diseases, lets them get to know one another without any major conflicts and by the time they do fully integrate, the new chooks are used to my routines too (such as FR time, my voice, the sound of the mealworm bucket used to entice them back to the WIR ). Has worked like a charm so far. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted February 4, 2012 Share Posted February 4, 2012 pure cream legbars lay blue eggs cream legbar based hybrids theres a 80% chance of a blue or green egg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted February 4, 2012 Share Posted February 4, 2012 Just a very quick reply re blue eggs. Araucanas lay the most beautiful blue eggs. I have one However I they are not cuddly hens and are quite flighty. Mine roosted in trees when she could So if your son would like a cuddly blue egg laying hen, I wouldn't go for araucanas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mum Posted February 4, 2012 Share Posted February 4, 2012 pure cream legbars lay blue eggs cream legbar based hybrids theres a 80% chance of a blue or green egg That's interesting, because mine lays an olive green egg and my breeder only breed pure breeds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercedes55 Posted February 4, 2012 Share Posted February 4, 2012 Sorry to read about your hen We have a Cream Legbar and a Lavender Araucana, both lay almost identical blue eggs. Both girls are as mad as a box of frogs and hate being handled. The Araucana is smaller than the Cream Legbar, although not sure if that is the norm with that breed. Ours was feather plucked a lot by one of our other girls and we did wonder if it was because she was quite small as our other small girl, a White Leghorn, was also feather plucked a lot too. I would agree it's best to introduce a couple of new girls rather than just one. However I did recently take my Sussex Ranger out of the run she was in and put her in with our 3 ex batts and although they did pounce on her and there was a bit of a fracas that lasted about 5mins, all was well after that. However our Sussex Ranger had been in visual contact with the ex batts for a long time, so possibly things could have been much worse if she was totally new to them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barkisland Posted February 4, 2012 Share Posted February 4, 2012 My cream legbar laid blue eggs, but only for 10 months, then she gave up bothering - too posh to push, apparently. She is a very nervy and flighty hen too, not one for being handled - in fact, she runs a mile and squawks her head off if you even look at her! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheeky Chooky Posted February 4, 2012 Share Posted February 4, 2012 Awww sorry to hear about Betsy Hope your son's ok Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Millie-Annie Posted February 4, 2012 Share Posted February 4, 2012 Aw poor Betsy and poor little boy. My neighbour has Columbines and they lay a bluish egg. Big girls too and quite fiesty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted February 4, 2012 Share Posted February 4, 2012 pure cream legbars lay blue eggs cream legbar based hybrids theres a 80% chance of a blue or green egg That's interesting, because mine lays an olive green egg and my breeder only breed pure breeds. sounds like there's a dark brown egg layer somewere in the family history prodably a maran or welsummer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smiler33 Posted February 4, 2012 Author Share Posted February 4, 2012 Thank you very much for all your responses. Sam (my son) is OK; he says he misses Betsy - I certainly do as she'd always be with me when I was cleaning out the Cube etc clucking away. Although I love the idea of blue eggs, I think what puts me off is that some of these chickens sound as if they wouldn't be quite what we're looking for as we want nice quiet ones the children can handle. What we're going to do is wait until the Spring, get our run extended, and get another 2 chooks. We may well go for more little red hens as they are just so friendly . In the meantime I'll look out for a rabbit hutch or something so they can be seperated and then introduced gradually. I'm sure it'll all work out in the end. Bye for now and thanks again!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitchHazel Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 Sorry to hear about Betsy. It'sdefinite better to introduce 2 new girls, as this will spread the inevitable "bullying" that goes on until things settle down. If you ony introduce 1, she will be constantly harrassed by all 3 of your other girls. (I see ANH has already given you the link to the helpful info about this). to you and your son. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mum Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 pure cream legbars lay blue eggs cream legbar based hybrids theres a 80% chance of a blue or green egg That's interesting, because mine lays an olive green egg and my breeder only breed pure breeds. sounds like there's a dark brown egg layer somewere in the family history prodably a maran or welsummer Maybe! Perhaps a naughty cockerel sneaked out when no one was looking Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lindafw Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 friend of mine is breeding aracanas who lay kaki to olive green eggs...I think its just another breed line Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
